The B'Tselem Camera Distribution Project, which began in 2007, has trained more than 200 Palestinians to record human rights violations and has collected more than 2,500 hours of such footage.  These powerful videos have raised public and media consciousness about human rights abuses, aided in the promotion of accountability, and empowered communities and individuals.

In October and November 2011, B’Tselem USA hosted “Visual Impact: US Tour of B’Tselem’s Camera Distribution Project,” a series of events in Los Angeles, Washington DC and New York. Cosponsored by Project Engage/Telos Group, the speaking tour aimed to enrich the dialogue on human rights through a dynamic multimedia exhibition and personal narratives. The tour featured Yoav Gross, the Director of B’Tselem’s Video Department, Arafat Amira, an 18-year-old activist from the West Bank village of Ni’lin and Awatif Aljadili, a filmmaker from Gaza, the latter both leading volunteers in the Camera Project.

The public and private events harnessed social media and personal testimony as a tool to promote human rights among new audiences, such as youth, faith-based communities and the arts community. B’Tselem USA also strengthened existing relationships and forged new connections with key community leaders.

Left to right: Izhar Patkin, Uri Zaki, James Schamus, Yoav Gross, Awatif Aljadili, Arafat Amira, & Rachel Sussman

About the speakers:

Yoav Gross, B'Tselem Video Director:  Joining B'Tselem in 2006, Yoav produced several projects aimed at documenting and exposing human rights violations, among them the award winning B'Tselem Camera Project.  Recently, Yoav spearheaded a collaboration with The Guardian, resulting in "East Jerusalem: Six Voices," featuring video diaries by four Palestinians and two Israelis.  In 2010, "Gaza: An Inside Look," a project with the leading site, Ynet, gave millions of Israelis a unique look into the life under seige in the neighbouring Gaza.  His 2011 short documentary "Susya" won the best short film award at the Milano Film Festival and was in competition in Berlinale, Hot Docs, and the Jerusalem International Film Festival.

Awatif Aljadili, Camera Distribution Project Participant:  Already a television producer in Gaza, Awatif became involved with the Gaza bloggers project in 2009.  She produced a short film following a field trip of a young girls’ school in Gaza, focusing specifically on students wounded during Operation Cast Lead.  Awatif’s work was featured in YNet and the New York Times, as a part of B’Tselem’s “Gaza: An Inside Look.”  Awatif is currently completing a degree at London’s Met Film School, after which she will return to Gaza to help rebuild a vibrant civil society.

Arafat Amira, Camera Distribution Project Participant:  At 18, Arafat is one of the youngest participants in B’Tselem’s Video Project.  In 2008, Arafat’s sister, Salam, filmed an incident involving the shooting of a handcuffed and blindfolded Palestinian detainee by an Israeli soldier in the West Bank city of Ni’lin.  The video evidence eventually led to the sentencing of the soldier and his commanding officer.  Empowered by this experience, Arafat established the Ni’lin Media Group to collect footage from weekly demonstrations and life under occupation.